Effect of the treatment stage on the serum levels of selected cytokines and antioxidant enzymes in patients with tumors of the reproductive organs.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic inflammation along with concomitant oxidative stress contributes to an increased risk of cancer development. The aim of this study was to analyze selected cytokines and antioxidant enzymes in patients with ovarian and endometrial cancers, taking into account the stage of oncological treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study sample included 52 female patients with advanced endometrial cancer (n = 26.50%) and ovarian cancer (n = 26.50%), undergoing chemotherapy. Long-term observation at four time points was used in the subjects. Each of the women was blood sampled several times (before surgery, and then before the first, third, and sixth cycle of chemotherapy) in order to determine serum levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant enzymes. RESULTS: The levels of catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1α, IL-4 differed significantly depending on the stage of therapy and the type of cancer. The serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in patients with ovarian cancer were statistically significantly higher than those observed in patients with endometrial cancer. The activity of the tested antioxidant enzymes varied depending on the chemotherapy cycle. Their highest activity in most cases was observed before the third cycle of chemotherapy, and it decreased before the sixth cycle, irrespective of the type of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In the studied group of patients with ovarian and endometrial cancer, the applied chemotherapy significantly changed the concentration and activity of some interleukins and antioxidant enzymes. The type of tumor determined the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 before the treatment. Evaluation of inflammatory parameters and oxidative stress in women with cancer of the reproductive organ may help to understand physiological changes resulting from the applied therapy.

Diagnostic markers of insulin resistance to discriminate between prediabetes and diabetes in menopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: Menopause is an important transition period in a woman's reproductive life during which hormonal changes occur, resulting in an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we assessed the possibility of using surrogate measures of insulin resistance (IR) to predict the risk of insulin resistance in perimenopausal women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 252 perimenopausal women living in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. The methods employed in this study were diagnostic survey based on the original questionnaire, anthropometric measurement, and laboratory tests performed to determine the levels of selected biochemical parameters. RESULTS: In the entire study population, the highest area under the curve was found for the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). Triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) showed a higher diagnostic value as a distinction tool between prediabetes and diabetes in perimenopausal women than the other markers. HOMA-IR significantly positively correlated with fasting blood glucose (r = 0.72; p = 0.001), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C, r = 0.74; p = 0.001), triglycerides (TG, r = 0.18; p < 0.005), and systolic blood pressure (SBP, r = 0.15; p= 0.021), and negatively with high-density lipoprotein (HDL, r = -0.28; p = 0.001). QUICKI negatively correlated with fasting blood (r = -0.051; p = 0.001), HbA1C (r = -0.51; p = 0.001), TG (r = -0.25; p = 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL, r = -0.13; p= 0.045), and SBP (r = -0.16; p = 0.011), and positively with HDL (r = 0.39; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric and cardiometabolic parameters were found to significantly correlate with IR markers. HOMA-beta, the McAuley index (McA), visceral adiposity index (VAI), and lipid accumulation product (LAP) may be useful as predictors of pre-diabetes and diabetes in postmenopausal women.

Self-efficacy and fatigue perceived by nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The two-year long epidemic situation around the world has resulted in an increasing number of people experiencing "pandemic fatigue". The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between a sense of self-efficacy and fatigue experienced in everyday life by nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia during the COVID-19 pandemic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted by the diagnostic survey method on a group of 756 nursing students of the first-cycle degree program, from 20 March to 15 May 2021, in the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin (Poland), as well as in Murcia University (Spain) and in the Catholic University in Ruzomberok (Slovakia). RESULTS: The sense of self-efficacy was significantly lower among the students in Poland than in those in Spain (p < 0.0001) and in Slovakia (p < 0.0001). Students in Slovakia showed symptoms of general, physical, cognitive and psychosocial fatigue much less frequently than those in Poland (p < 0.001) and Spain (p < 0.001). Especially students in Spain acutely felt physical health issues as a result of COVID-19 pandemic-imposed restrictions. CONCLUSIONS: A high level of a generalized sense of self-efficacy among the nursing students participating in the study was identified. However, it was significantly differentiated with respect to the country of residence. The fatigue severity experienced by the students during the COVID-19 pandemic was determined by a sense of self-efficacy.

Comparison of the risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and diabetes among the selected group of football referees and the group of general population men from Northern Poland - a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at comparing the total body fat and visceral adipose tissue content in football referees and in the control group of general population men. An assessment of compliance with health promoting behavior in both groups was carried out. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study, conducted in Northern Poland, involved 112 men. The study group comprised 56 men, football referees. The control group consisted of randomly chosen general population men, not engaged in any sport activities. Assessment of compliance with health promoting behavior among football referees and general population men was based on ultrasound imaging using the BodyMetrix System device (IntelaMetrix, Poland). The study employed a survey questionnaire comprised of the original section and two standardized questionnaires: the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI): the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). RESULTS: The visceral adipose tissue content in the study group (football referees) was found to be low, and the excess of body fat was 0-0.25 kg. In the control group, the trunk fat volume was found to be higher by more than 8% as compared with the study group. Also, the level of visceral adipose tissue was high, and the excess of body fat was 0-4 kg. CONCLUSIONS: Thanks to properly planned and systematically continued physical activity, despite non-compliance with certain pro-health principles (increased sweet supply and consumption of alcoholic beverages), football referees are characterized by the correct body fat volume and low level of visceral adipose tissue. The parameters were found to be markedly higher in the control group of randomly selected men from the general population. The risk of diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases among football referees was found to be very low.

The severity of depressive symptoms vs. serum Mg and Zn levels in postmenopausal women.

The aim of this study was to assess the severity of depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women, depending on serum Mg and Zn levels. The study involved 171 postmenopausal women from Poland, who were not using menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The intensity of depressive symptoms was evaluated using a standard research technique, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The plasma Mg and Zn concentrations were measured. Depressive symptoms of different severity levels were diagnosed in 36.8 % of the women. The mean serum Mg level was 1.53 ± 0.28 mg/dL, and Zn level was 72 ±14 µg/dL. The women with higher serum Mg and Zn levels had less depressive symptoms, and this observation is a precious information which can be used when planning depressive disorder prevention programmes.

Estimation of the declared knowledge of anaesthesiology nurses concerning some chosen procedures and actions being within the scope of professional competence.

Together with introducing legal regulations as well as modem standards of postgraduate education, the professional position of a nurse has strengthened and also her responsibility for professional activity has increased. Performing the profession of an anaesthesiology nurse involves necessity of possessing some adequate professional qualifications. The aim of the study was an attempt to answer the question on how the knowledge of an anaesthesiology nurse concerning the activities being within her professional qualifications shapes. The research was carried out in 2005 among 123 anaesthesiology nurses working in some Polish hospitals chosen at random. Method of diagnostic opinion poll was applied and a questionnaire of own authorship was a research tool. Analysing the obtained results the following conclusions have been drawn: 1. The level of knowledge of an anaesthesiology nurses on the activities being within their qualifications is unsatisfactory; 2. Obtaining competence in anaesthesiology nursing involves the necessity of continual raising of qualifications by nurses, especially being on specialization level; 3. A necessity of differentiation between particular competence levels of anaesthesiology nurses during different forms of education should be underlined; 4. Possibility of realization of their competences on a particular level by anaesthesiology nurses is connected with the necessity of improving whole therapeutic team work.